Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-07
ROARD OF MISSIONS
Several Eminent Divines Express
Opinions on Church Matters, Etc.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass, Oct. 6.-At to
days session Of the American Board Of
Commissioners for Foreign Missions, the
committee on the Japan mission reported
and emphasized the danger during the
present crisis In that country of any one
introducing unscriptural speculation. An
encouraging report was made on missions
In papal lands. A majority report of the
committee on the report of the home seCre-
tary was presented by Prof. Boardman, of
Chicago. Five or six members of the
committee constitute the majority. The
report says the report under considers ton
affords much encouragement 20 friends of
missions. Eighteen more missionaries
have been appointed than the average num-
Der for the past twelve years.
The finances were not so favorablY as
last year, the Sweet and Ot!s funds having
been largely drawn upon to meet ali de-
fciencies
The constitution of the board requires
that no part of It's funds shall go to support
error, and We reaillrm and fall back upon
the action taken last year at Des Moines.
Iowa, against the Gocuine Of future proba
ton.
The committee deserve high commenda-
tIon for its faihfulness In this part of its
work, as they have followed Instructions.
The statements made by rejec'ed candi-
dates amply justify the decision. The
board adheres 10 its position at Des
Moines, Iowa, and accepts the action Of
the prudential committee 1t recommends
that the committee be careful 10 guard
agaiust any approval of the doctrine Of
future probation.
Prof Fisher, in the minority report took
issue as to Mr. Hume and the rejected
documents. The home secretary, he SAYS,
Is plainly defending himself and the pru-
dental committee, and so the question be
comes a personal one. The facts about
the rejected students that would modify
the case have been withheld. Attempts
have been made TO Use the board as q
makeweigher In theological controversy.
The board Is not tribunal 10 dt fine orthO-
doxy. The churches have regular means
of doing this. The burning issue was
Joined on The question as to which Of these
questions should be adopted. Pro. Fisher
spoke In favor of his report. All the pru-
Dental committee should do was, he said.
10 ascertain not so much what the ideas of
the candidate Of the speculative doctrines
ale, but W hat use he Will make of them; In
short, TO determine that he is not crank.
Prof Boardman, Of the Chicago the Jlog
ical seminary, said: We are trying 80
evapge'ize the world and We must do it
with certain weapons; the most important
one Is the gospel. Let Us see If our
weapons are The right ones The idea that
We have nothing 10 do with theology is
pTeposterous. Now the question is, viii II
be wise 10 int oduce this new theology 10
lie along side that to which we have used7
The two are not consistent with each other
and the old way is the better Prof
BOsrdmap then proceeded to controvert the
dogma of probation after death. II was
impossible for a man to hold this doctrine
and not preach H. Rev. DR. Parker, Of
Hartford, Conn, pleaded for those who
hold the by pothesis and not the doctrine of
future prnbstion,
Rev. DIR. Tailor. of New York. argued
the danger of sending missionaries who
entertain this hypothesis. They cannot
meet the questions of the heather, for their
ancestors might enjoy probation after death
and ny doing sin they were not condemned.
The danger in progress in theology was IT'S
movement in the direction Of mere tuor.
Rev. DIR. Walker Of Hartford, Conn.
said The doctrine under discussion WIS not
one. as supposed II dated from the sec
ond century and was held by the leading
men of Eueland.
Rev. G. A. Gordon, Of Boston, declared
that TO adopt The msjority report would be
to ALLEVIATE larger and larger constituency,
and 1t would be hsrd 10 hold the great
churches to The support of the board.